Scripture for the day...

{John 1:1 NKJV} In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

What the feasts of YHWH mean to my family. Part one; Passover & Unleavened bread.

The first festival of the biblical year is Passover {Exodus 12:1-14, 20-29}. This night is a time of remembrance of Israels redemption from the death of the first born. The command to observe and teach the Passover is forever {Exodus 12:24}.
The blood of the lamb placed on the doorposts and the lintel told YHWH that this household had accepted his provision for life and YHWH's spirit 'passed over' them.
Passover is completely fulfilled in Y'shua's sacrifice {1 Corinthians 5:7}. We are again commanded to observe this night by Y'shua {Luke 22:19} in its awesome fulfillment as Y'shua offers his body and blood. By eating the bread and wine which represent the Christ, we are accepting him, acknowledging his perfect sacrifice on OUR behalf so that death may "pass us over" {John 6:54}.
Clearly seeing the Passover's fulfillment in the Christ, What can we gain by observing the days of Unleavened bread?
1. Leaven represents sin {1 Corinthians 5:6}. The unleavened bread represents Christs sinless body.
Christ preached..."Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" {Matthew 4:17} Therefore let us remove the sin from our lives. Day to day activities cloud the Kingdom priority and these eight days take a special effort and acknowledgement to avoid sin (leaven). Essentially a "poke in the chest" reminding us we have some cleaning up to do {Matthew 5:48}.
2. In ancient Egypt the Israelites were commanded to eat in haste {Exodus 12:11,31}. There was NO TIME to allow the bread to rise or add sourdough (leaven) to the mix {Exodus 12:34,39}.
More so today with the coming tribulation at hand we are commanded to be awake and prepared {Matthew 24,25}. There is NO TIME, we need to heed the Masters instructions.

Lord's Memorial Supper

March 30th, 2010; Tuesday night is the anniversary of our Lord's Supper.
Y'shua celebrated Passover with his disciples, the bread and wine symbolizing Christ's flesh and blood given that we may attain life everlasting.
The following day, also Passover, is the anniversary of Christ's sacrifice and burial.
After Three more days Y'shua was resurrected to life.

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." {John 6:51 NKJV}

And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is shed for you."
{Luke 22:19,20 NKJV}

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. {1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV}

Scripture for the day...

And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. {1 Timothy 3:16, NKJV}

Things to avoid...

Christians avoid...
Meats offered to idols,
fornication,
things strangled (eating blood),
blood (violence). Acts 15:20.
(And as you gather every Sabbath and hear YHWH's law as given through Moses, you will continue to learn...) Acts 15:21.

Abomination: Extreme hatred; detestation.

The following is an incomplete list of things that are to YHWH, an abomination.

Making son/daughter pass through fire (killing children, abortion),
divination,
observing times,
enchantment,
witches,
charms,
consulting familiar spirits (the dead or demons),
wizards,
necromancy(communication with the dead). Deuteronomy 18:10,11.
Men that lie with men (homosexuality). Leviticus 18:22.
(Cross dressing). Deuteronomy 22:5.
Bestiality. Leviticus 18:23.
Unclean meats. Leviticus 11, Isaiah 66:17.
Justify wicked,
condemn the just. Proverb 17:15.
Various measures,
(dishonesty). Deuteronomy 25:14-16.
Turning from hearing YHWH's law. Proverb 28:9 Prayer from that person is an abomination.
(Idols). Ezekiel 14:6.
Proud look,
lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
heart that (schemes),
(looking for mischief),
false witness speaking lies,
sowing discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19.

These are found without (not having life)...
Dogs(homosexuals),
sorcerers(witchcraft or drugs),
whore mongers (fornicators),
murderers,
idolaters,
liars and lovers of a lie. Revelation 22:15.

For I, YHWH change not...Malachi 3:6.

Blessed are those that are found to have the right to the Tree of Life. Who are these ones? Those that KEEP YHWH's commandments and have faith in his son Y'shua. Revelation 22:14, 14:12. James 2:17. Matthew 28:19,20.
This IS the New Covenant... Hebrews 10:16.

Heart

YHWH is very concerned about our hearts. YHWH searches our hearts. Jeremiah 17:10. Romans 8:27.

What is it, in our hearts that YHWH is searching for?
Please examine some scriptures with me.

For starters, it can be said that our "hearts" ARE the feelings, desires and the intentions that we each have, yes?

Y'shua explains that out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouth speaks.
Matthew 15:18.
YHWH knows that often times the things that are in our hearts are not good things. Jeremiah 17:9. Matthew 15:19.

Therefore YHWH encourages us to circumcise our hearts, conform to his will, obey his laws, statutes and judicial decisions. Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6-10. Romans 2:29.
This is the new covenant, the willful obedience to YHWH's commands.
"Whereof the Holy Spirit is also a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith YHWH, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them, and I will remember their sins and iniquities no more..."
Hebrews 10:15-17. Jeremiah 31:33,34. Ezekiel 36:26,27.

This new covenant, as can be read, is the keeping of YHWH's laws... Or is it a removal of YHWH's laws, wiping them from our hearts and minds?
What does Y'shua say? Matthew 5:17-19, 7:21.
This covenant produces OBEDIENCE from your HEART, obedience that can only be born by love for YHWH. 1John 5:3.

What is it then that YHWH is searching for?
He is searching out those that love him above everyone and everything!
Matthew 22:37,38.
Those that love him and acknowledge his son and keep the commands and laws.
Revelation 14:12.
Circumcise our hearts!
Love YHWH!

Prayer

Scripture has much to teach us regarding our approach to God in prayer. Here are some verses that I have enjoyed.

Before we pray we should concern ourselves as to whether or not there are requirements for our prayer to be heard, and there are...

we must listen to (& obey) YHWH's laws as we are told at Proverbs 28:9.

We must not consider, nor think on the things that YHWH finds hateful or are against his laws, see Psalms 66:18.

We must forgive others for what they have done to us, Matthew 6:12,14,15; Mark 11:25; Psalms 66:18.

We must feel regret and ask for forgiveness from YHWH for our sins, Matthew 6:12.

Perhaps this would be easier if we knew what YHWH considers as sin, sinning, 1John 3:4; Romans 3:20.

Of course Y'shua has the best instructions for us, including how to address YHWH in prayer, Matthew 6:9, to "our Father in the heavens..."

Through his son's name, Y'shua (Jesus), our prayers reach YHWH, John 14:13,14.

We are encouraged to give thanks for all we have been given, Psalms 92:1; Ephesians 5:20; 1Thessalonians 5:18.

And then we may ask that our needs be met, Matthew 6:11; John 16:23...

be it the things that are within YHWH's will, Matthew 6:10; 1John 5:14.

Not doubting, James 1:6,7.

Y'shua instructs us to pray in secret, Matthew 6:6...

and to not repeat "rote" prayers over and over, Matthew 6:7.

Yet... keep asking, Matthew 7:7-11...

and pray often, 1Thessalonians 5:17.

Some pray three times a day, as did Daniel, found in his book at 6:10.

It is especially humble and reverent to approach God on our knees, Daniel 6:10; Ezra 9:4; Acts 20:36, 21:35...

with our heads bowed, Luke 18:13,14.

By using YHWH's words as our guide our prayers will strengthen and we can be assured an audience with the Holy YHWH!